The Battle of Fallen Timbers at Shiloh

April 8, 1862

557-1369 Harrison Rd

Michie, TN 38357

An amazing rear guard action by Colonel Bedford Forrest after the Battle of Shiloh. This property will soon be added to the Shiloh National Military Park, thanks to the Civil War Preservation Trust. It’s located about 7 miles southwest of the Shiloh Visitor Center here. This, and other planed additions, will make Shiloh the largest military park system in the United States.

Recommended reading: The Campaigns of General Forrest

“At twenty paces the Confederates gave a volley with their shot-guns, a formidable weapon at that short distance, and rushed in with pistols and sabres. So sudden was the onset that, despite their numbers, the Federal cavalry broke in disorder, and fled back through the woods running over their own infantry in their panic, creating a scene of singular confusion and tumult for some moments. Many of the infantry were thus knocked down; many horses also were transfixed by the bayonets of their own infantry. Scores of other horses fell and threw their riders sprawling and bruised upon the ground; and all around was a medley of cavalry and infantry, scattering and running to and fro, hither and thither, officers shouting and cursing, and the hurt groaning. Before the infantry could recover from the condition into which the flight of the cavalry had thrown them, Forrest was upon them also with a swift play of sabre and revolver, and they broke as well as the cavalry. The slaughter was considerable, as the flying infantry were closely pursued for several hundred yards by their eager, excited enemy. Men are merciless on such occasions. The loss inflicted was heavy, while seventy were captured.

In the ardency and exultation of the pursuit, Forrest pressed on until he found himself alone within fifty yards of the main body of the Federal expeditionary force,—and beyond, indeed, a large part of those whom he had just surprised and routed. Halting, he saw at a glance that his men, perceiving sooner the situation, had very properly halted, and were then falling back with their prisoners,—which they were doing, however, unaware of the perilous position of their leader. Immediately observed by the enemy, now all around him, Forrest was fired at from all sides. One ball from an Austrian rifle, striking him on the left side, just above the point of the hip-bone, penetrated to the spine, and, ranging around, lodged in the left side—a severe if not, indeed, mortal wound, as his surgeon apprehended. His right leg, benumbed by the blow, was also left hanging useless in the stirrup. Turning his horse, however, he resolved to escape, surrounded as he was by hundreds bent on his death, and shouting, “Kill him !” “Shoot him !” “Stick him!” “Knock him off his horse !” all of which they literally sought to do. His horse, too, was wounded, (mortally, as it proved,) but still bore up under his daring rider, as he dashed out of the throng of assailants, using his revolver with deadly aim to clear his path.” – The Campaigns of General Forrest

Take a 360º Virtual Tour of the Fallen Timbers Battlefield:

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Shiloh Battlefield Virtual Tour:

The Battle of Shiloh resulted in more casualties, than all of the previous United States military conflicts to date (23,746). It was a stunning shock to the nation, and a sobering lesson to the multitude of Americans that thought this was going to be a short affair.

In this major battle, Confederate Brevet Brigadier General Albert Sidney Johnston was the highest ranking officer killed in the American Civil War. He was most likely hit by his own troops. His mortal leg wound was from the rear. Despite this calamitous setback, P.G.T. Beauregard was so confident after the first day of the battle, that he sent word back to Richmond that the Confederate forces had a complete and undisputed victory.

Cavalry Colonel Bedford Forrest knew better. At the close of the first day of battle, he pleaded with higher command to press the enemy into the night – or abandon the field altogether. His scouts had discovered a massive reinforcement flotilla landing from the Tennessee river that late afternoon.

The Shiloh Battlefield is one of the most well preserved battlefields of the American Civil War. It also contains Native American burial mounds. It’s remote location in rural Southwest Tennessee, lends itself to privacy unlike most other battlefields near populated areas.

Shiloh Battlefield: virtual tour

Fraley Field – Opening action at The Battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862

Peach Orchard

Bloody Pond

Forrest 3rd Cavalry Regiment*

Hornet’s Nest

Water Oaks Pond

Indian Mounds

Shiloh Visitor Center

Confederate Burial Trench

Pittsburg Landing

National Cemetery

Note: get the full screen experience by clicking the icon in the lower left of the video frame. A zoom option is available also for reading the historical signage. Some markers are embedded in the floating icons. Panorama’s take a moment to load. They can also be viewed in a 360º viewfinder.

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Largest Civil War Battlefields:

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park: 9,036 acres

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania: 8,374 acres

Pea Ridge 4,300 acres

Shiloh: 3,997 acres**

Gettysburg: 3,965 acres

Antietam: 3,230 acres

*Colonel Forrest 3rd Cavalry Regiment fought dismounted from just west of the Peach Orchard. This obscure marker in the virtual tour, is the only one of Forrest on the battlefield. Fallen Timbers, will soon be added to the park service, thanks to The Civil War Preservation Trust. That location is the site of a most impressive counter-charge by Forrest’s regiment during the retreat of the Confederate Army. The location will be dedicated April 6-9, 2017, during the 155th anniversary reenactment.

** The National Park Service is adding more land in the near future, including Fallen Timbers, Parkers Crossroads, Davis Bridge and more. This will make Shiloh the largest National Military Park in the country.